Hinksey Park - Away

The under-9s lost their second game of the season 3-1 at Hinksey Park, although the result doesn't give a fair reflection
of the balance ofplay. There was an air of optimism among the Colts players, as Hinksey is a team that they have
matched in the past, but this was dispelledimmediately as the home side took the lead straight from kick-off,
following a strong run and shot from their number 9, Jake.

Despite this early setback, City rallied and soon came into the game. They got the equaliser that they deserved
shortly before half-time, whena Jason Crowder corner deflected off a Hinksey player and dropped over the line.
Hinksey again took the lead midway through the second half, in unfortunate circumstances. During a goalmouth
scramble, goalkeeper Willem Alexander took both the ball and a Hinksey boot in his face.

While he lay injured on the floor one of the home team poked the ball home, and the referee allowed the goal to stand.

This goal doused the City fire, and they seemed content then to allow the game to get away from them.
It was Jake again who finished the scoring, heading home for a very good third goal.
City now need to rally before facing the very strong Horspath team in their next match.
In the friendly game that followed, a weak City side lost 4-0 to Hinksey Park.

St Edmunds - Home

Oxford City Colts under-9s lost their first match of the season 6-1 to St Edmonds. The home side found themselves 3-0 down in the first ten minutes, as they were too often caught in possession by the much quicker
and stronger visitors. The Colts defence was slow to react to loose balls around their own penalty area, and they paid the price for their reluctance to pass to each other. Just before half time they found themselves 4-0 down, and the game effectively over, but straight from kick off Jason Crowder scored a fine individual goal, outpacing the St Edmonds defence, riding a couple of tackles, and then shooting past the visiting goalie with the outside of his right foot.

Sadly that was to be the Colts only consolation from the game, although they tightened up considerably in the second half. St Edmonds added two more goals to their tally, despite the Colts defending deeper. The boys are going to have to tighten up considerably in defence, and learn how to work more as a team, if they want to avoid a struggle in their first league season.

The lads also lost the follow-up friendly 2-1 in a much more even contest. It was goalless at half time, but then the Colts conceded first to a scrappy goal. They equalised from a Jason Crowder penalty, awarded for a handball, and looked to be on course for a deserved draw, before a cruel deflection from a speculative shot deceived goalkeeper Willem Alexander, who had previously made a series of excellent saves.